West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-11-25

these Goals and cokes In passage,
and some Of the finest Goals in CHI
cago markets to day come from the
Kanawha Valley.
The city of Charlest"n-Kanawha
feels the impetus of all this thrifty
coal mining. But, still better, here
too a field to natural gas is just now
being developed, and the first well,
which came in few weeks ago, may
be seen throwing high flames in the
air some eight miles above the city.
The developing company is pushing
other wells, and soon the town and
valley are to be lit and heated with
natural gas. Then, TOO, as the gas
is a red petroliferous gas, and the
belt lies right in the great oil line
from Pennsylvania southwest, the
likelihood is that an oil field Of im-
portance is not far from discovery.
and field that pipe lines can't con-
troll, for it lies upon navigable
waters. The city is jubilant over
this brilliant discovery, for it is the
first gas, practically, yet found in
the New South, and the only gas
field close up to the cheap irons of
Dixie. The natural gas, the Goals,
and the iron and Manganese ores be-
yend are all in close proximity. like
the leaves of a book. This juxtapo-
sition, it seems to me, must result
in the appearing of prosperous
iron manufacturing region. With
iron made as cheaply as in Alabama
gas being on hand to manufac-
ture it, and lake ores delivered as
cheaply as at Pittsburg to mix with
it. and northern markets right at
hand-Charleston- Kanawha NAV vet
be a greater iron city than Birming-
ham.
The valley is plentiful in fire ciays
/ am told-clays practically worth
less now for want of capital to util-
ize them; and the clay for ordinary
brick is very good. The Kanawha
region, next above the city, used to
be famous for the salt there made;
but the war and competition from
works using modern methods killed
out this industry. OF the fifty
eight salt furnaces that once lined
the river banks but one is left. This
one haa just contracted for the new
gas fuel, and the salt makers with
whom | have talked now feel SAN
guine of a certain and profitable re-
vival in the trade. They estimate
that salt can now be made here
cheaper than In Michigan, while the
quality of the salt is particularly
excellent for meat preserving, hav-
ing no carbonate of lime in it. I
have also been shown very fine spec
linens of sandstone, which is abun.
dant, and contains from 95 to SO
per cent of silica. The city is quite
alive to the worth Of these natural
riches surrounding her, and which
can be utilized through the cheap
gas fuel; and steps have been taken
by her public minded folk to give
them practical development at once.
The city lies right at the junction
of the Kanawha and Elk Rivers, and
the latter opens up to her the great
est reach Of virgin forest, unpene-
trated by railroads, and untouched
by AK, to-day existing east of the
Mississippi. Poplar, maple, wal
nut, cherry, birch, lynn, white oak,
ash, HICKORY, hemlock, and spruce.
pine are the characteristic trees of
this forest region. Considerable at
tention from the lumber lords Of
Michigan is now being directed to
these forests, and such men as Gov.
Alger, DR.. David Ward, the Dew
ings, and Others are quietly invest
ing large sums Of money here.
Then, too, the railroads have
'got on to" this Kanawha Valley.
A great trunk line west of Charles
on-Kanawha, three roads coming
in over the Kanawha IL Ohio Rail-
way to the north Of her and some
five more roads projected, will make
her the leading railroad centre of
the State and of this section of the
New South. The city is well locat-
ed upon broad, level bottoms, and
contains some 5000. or 10000 peo-
pie. Wood and wool, -four and iron
manufactures are many and increas-
ing in number.
The antique mansion Of the old
Shareholder, with its Corinthian
pillars of wood and brick and great
piazzas, stands side by side with
the jaunty cottages of modern taste.
The old and the new are here to
gether, aud even among the people
on the streets one see the ancient
and typical Southern gentleman,
with his broad brimmed hat and
long coat with curling collar,
strangely, at home alongside the
short-haired, active generation OF
to-day. The younger man has not
quite the courtly manner of the ell
der, but it seems to me he will gen
orally be found to have few more
dollars in his pocket.
This morning | have been stroll.
ing about in the deliciously balmy
air, gaining vigor at every breath,
and for the first time in my life I'm
darStandinU tho VinUiniap an;oy